The Will Smith slap made us love Chris Rock — even more — so we finally saw him in person: Our addiction to attention — DETROIT — We’ve enjoyed Chris Rock’s comedy for decades. The Will Smith slap made us decide, “let’s support Chris by seeing his show.” A complete cause and effect: The infamous Oscars slap that will live in infamy occurred on March 27. We reached the point where joking about someone’s appearance…

Bill Maher: “We’ve gone from fat acceptance to fat celebration — To view letting yourself go as a point of pride? — Seventy-eight percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were obese throughout the pandemic — but did you ever hear an elected leader tell us to protect ourselves through improved diet and exercise? The 69 percent we are afraid to upset No, because: 36.5 percent of adults are obese, and another 32.5 percent of Americans are overweight — and politicians are…

When one single line makes an entire song unforgettable, it lifts all music to a new level — One well-written line says everything. Certain key lines of songs are so moving that they make the rest unforgettable. A single line smashed into me the other day, turning my gym’s background music into a “wow, that’s great writing moment” as that line leaped out: “She is headed for the…

He inspired lover Meryl Streep: ‘He wasn’t like anybody I’d ever met…’ Five Best Pictures in 7 years? The amazing John Cazale — You know Academy Award champion Meryl Streep — but do you recall the actor who changed her life? Every John Cazale film was nominated for Best Picture and rated among the greatest films ever. Streep won three Academy Awards (a record of 21 nominations). Cazale taught Meryl Streep how to…

Edge of Reality, a psychedelic music experiment for a 1960s film, the forgotten B-side now revived by the new Elvis film — The new Elvis film resurrected Edge of Reality, his psychedelic music experiment. In the context of his legacy 45 years after his death, the lyrics suddenly seem more meaningful. In the era of 45 records, the Edge of Reality was released as “the B-side,” meaning it was the forgotten “backside”…

Why everyone involved with writing, journalism — and all storytelling — should know the meaning and power of Luke 8:17 — Investigative journalist John Monk taught us the one Bible verse essential to all good journalism, storytelling, and writing. For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light. (Luke 8:17, CSB) I was a young journalist fresh out of Michigan…

An essential new Catholic book, Supernatural Saints: A School of Ministry, shows the miracles of Jesus and His Church never stopped — Supernatural Saints: A School of Ministry From the Saints by Patrick Reis shows the miracles, signs, healing, and prophecy of the Bible are just the beginning of a never-ending story. Can saints help us achieve our life’s purpose and missions? “We believe that all fruitful ministry flows out of intimacy…

Feeling anxious? Every Church has a hidden row of shame, a perfect place to sit if you’re late or holding an unruly kid — Embarrassed when you arrive at Church? Find the hidden row of shame. Every place of worship has one, even though they might not have been designed for this purpose. The row of shame generally provides “the lowest place,” the last seat anyone would choose to sit in. These seats are…

Fr. Mike Schmitz: Why does God make miracles? So he can be known — Why do miracles happen? What’s the purpose of signs and wonders? Everything is a gift from God (except our own sin) — but why? Miraculous gifts are meant to be used — for a purpose “God has given all of us various gifts,” Father Mike Schmitz explains. “Yes, those gifts are meant to be enjoyed, but they’re also meant to be…